Were the guards at Metropolitan Correctional Center charged for Epstein's death?

1. What prosecutors actually charged—and why it matters

Federal indictments filed in November 2019 accused MCC officers Tova Noel and Michael Thomas of making false records and conspiring to defraud the United States by falsifying log entries about required inmate checks; prosecutors say surveillance showed rounds were not made between roughly 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 9 and 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 10, the period when Epstein was found dead ^{[1] [3]}. News outlets reported the charges as the first criminal filings linked directly to Epstein’s death and framed them as accountability for alleged cover‑up conduct rather than as charges alleging they killed him ^{[2] [5]}.

2. What the indictment describes the guards doing (or not doing)

The indictment—recounted across reporting—says the two guards sat at their desks, browsed the internet, walked around the unit, and during one multi‑hour stretch appear to have slept, instead of performing the required half‑hour checks; prosecutors allege the guards then signed logs falsely stating they had completed the rounds ^{[2] [6] [3]}. Reporting also notes staffing shortages and mandatory overtime at the MCC at the time, which contextualizes the workplace pressures on those on duty ^{[7] [5]}.

3. How officials and watchdogs framed responsibility

Attorney General William Barr publicly called the jail’s failures “appalling,” and prosecutors blamed the guards in a release, while later inspector general work found misconduct by jail staff that contributed to the circumstances of Epstein’s suicide—criticizing the jail for failing to assign a cellmate and for guards who lied on logs—yet concluded there was no evidence of foul play ^{[4] [6]}. The IG recommended charges against multiple employees, indicating the problem was seen as systemic rather than purely an isolated lapse ^[4].

4. What the guards said and how some outlets covered defense details

Reporting indicated the guards were offered plea deals and that at least one account described attempts to revive Epstein when he was found; coverage also highlighted that the guards pled not guilty after being charged ^{[6] [2] [8]}. Some outlets and commentators emphasized poor working conditions at MCC—chronic understaffing and overwork—which defense advocates and former prosecutors said help explain, though not legally excuse, the alleged misconduct ^{[5] [7]}.

5. What the charges do not assert—available sources’ limits

The publicly reported federal charges against Noel and Thomas concern falsifying records and conspiracy to obstruct duties; available sources do not say prosecutors charged the guards with homicide or with directly causing Epstein’s death ^{[1] [2] [3]}. Inspector General and FBI probes, as reported, found no physical evidence of third‑party involvement in the death and did not substantiate claims that someone else killed Epstein ^[4]. If you are asking whether the guards were criminally charged with murder, available sources do not mention such charges ^{[1] [4]}.

6. Competing narratives and why conspiracy theories persisted

Because Epstein was high‑profile and security cameras and protocols failed in various ways, news outlets and commentators noted the charges deepened public suspicion; some outlets promoted theories that outside interference occurred, while official investigations repeatedly said they found no evidence of foul play and pointed to systemic failures and misconduct by staff ^{[9] [4]}. The coverage shows a tension: independent reporting of institutional problems and alleged cover‑up by staff versus watchdog conclusions that, despite those failures, no direct evidence supports homicide claims ^{[5] [4]}.

7. Bottom line for readers seeking clarity

Yes—two MCC guards were federally indicted for falsifying records and conspiring to obstruct duties around the time Epstein died; the indictments focused on alleged failure to perform required checks and falsified logs, not on accusing them of killing Epstein ^{[1] [2] [3]}. Official oversight reports later described misconduct by several staff members and recommended more charges but also stated investigators found no evidence of third‑party involvement in Epstein’s death ^[4].